Story by Jen Jordan / May 26, 2023
Local Business Executives Celebrate First Year Meeting Street Schools’ Program Developed to Empower the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Charleston, SC – More than 25 entrepreneurs and business professionals from the Greater Charleston area gathered this past week at Meeting Street – Burns, North Charleston for the culmination of the Meeting Street Schools (MSS) 2022-2023 Capstone program. Capstone, which includes a series of intentional experiences, both in the classroom and the “real world,” was launched this year at Meeting Street – Burns. The program is expected to be rolled out at other MSS Schools in the 2023-2024 school year.
“Capstone will be an integral component of our middle school model,” said Director of Alumni Services, Kat King. “Our vision is to prove what is possible for all of our students. To make that happen, we need to prepare our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Capstone will play a pivotal role in helping to achieve that goal.”
The MSS Capstone experience was developed to build on and complement the essential skills taught in-school each day, and to help instill an entrepreneurial mindset to empower and resource our students to imagine and launch their own business ventures. As part of this process, they will develop enduring, translatable skills that will benefit them in whatever walk of life MSS students decide to pursue.
Field Trips & Speaker Series
An essential part of the Capstone program is to provide Meeting Street students with direct exposure to entrepreneurs and professionals from a broad range of industries. In 2022-2023, MS-Burns students met with more than 30 business owners and professionals, either as part of a class Field Trip or at a Capstone-hosted Speaker Series event.
“Meeting successful professionals with similar backgrounds from their local communities allows our students to see what’s possible,” said Greg Sherry, Capstone Coordinator. “The students also learn firsthand what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and to gain a better understanding of the importance of skills like critical thinking, creative problem solving, leadership, teamwork and overcoming adversity, among others.”
“It has been an honor and privilege to participate in this innovative entrepreneurial program. As a small business owner, I was able to share with the students how it takes hard work and fearlessness to be an entrepreneur, and most importantly, to believe in themselves,” added Shawntelle Matney, Capstone entrepreneur and Owner of MCC Property Solutions.
Local Entrepreneurs looking to positively influence and impact the next generation of innovators are invited to participate in next year’s Capstone program. Please visit MeetingStreetSchools.org/collaborate-with-us/ to learn more.
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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